MAHANOY CITY — The kid loves challenges — “ain’t no mountain high enough,” to borrow a lyric.

It fits Rory Dixon to a tee.

Dixon is a top student, a standout football player and, above all, an elite wrestler. He plays running back and linebacker at Marian Catholic High School in the fall, and wrestles for Mahanoy Area High School in the winter through a co-op agreement.

With an easy smile and polished communication skills, Dixon is already thinking about life after graduation in 2027.

“I want to go to West Point,” Dixon said about his plans after high school. “It’s been a dream of mine for a long time.”

Dixon hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon, inspired by surgery to repair a torn knee.

The United States Military Academy seems like a natural fit for the junior, who recently earned his 100th career win. Needing five victories to reach the milestone, Dixon won six matches at the Salisbury Duals to push his total to 101.

“Oh, I had that in mind since I started (to wrestle),” said Dixon, who competes at 152 pounds after dropping from 160. “I love the sport; I love the competition, it’s a challenge every time you go out on the mat. It’s something that I’ve looked forward to ever since I began to wrestle. It felt very good to get that win, with everything I went through with my knee.”

After a knee injury last season, surgery and hard work helped Dixon return stronger and more determined.

Because Marian does not have a wrestling program, Dixon competed at Panther Valley as a freshman as part of a co-op. When the co-op was dropped, Mahanoy Area welcomed him — despite the schools’ rivalry in other sports.

“Oh, it was an easy fit, because wrestlers have an immediate bond,” Mahanoy Area coach Nathan Fegley said. “He’s such a great kid, a fantastic wrestler. He is so dedicated to the sport, he sometimes would be in the (wrestling) room as early as 6 in the morning, then go back to Marian, then come back for more practice here.”

Dixon said he feels quicker and stronger at 152 pounds.

Fegley said Dixon’s success comes from his ability to create offense instead of waiting for it, pointing to his hand fighting as the foundation of his style.

“I told him he’s like the kid in Juke Box Hero — he doesn’t wait for the door to open, he makes his own way in,” Fegley said. “That’s how he wrestles. He has the best hand-fighting system, probably in Pennsylvania.

“He knows his ties, he knows how to clear his ties, he knows how to get a takedown. His athleticism, he’s a good football player, he knows the angle and he has quick feet. I tell him have enthusiasm, hard work and effort. If you always try your best and your effort is there ... the little things take care of itself.”

Fegley said Dixon’s quickness allows him to get behind opponents and finish takedowns more consistently than last season.

“He’s finishing better, and that’s where he has improved the most from last (season),” Fegley said. “He’s added a couple takedowns, cleaned up his finishes and avoids scrambles ... it’s showing, he’s beaten some really, really tough opponents.”

Dixon credits his parents for keeping him focused and disciplined.

“My parents are so super, I can’t say enough about them,” Dixon said. “I’m lucky, I guess you can say, that I’ve been raised the right way. Great guidance.”

That guidance has helped him become a top student, and one of the best wrestlers in District 11.

Asked what it will take to reach West Point, Dixon was direct.

“Place at states, keep reaching out and taking the SATs.”

And in his words: “Do what I have to do to get there.”

Spoken like a true student-athlete.

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TOP SEEDS ... Dixon is the top seed in Class 2A at 152 pounds. The junior has a record of 41-4 this season.

Three other Times News area will enter the tournament as a No. 1 seed. They include Northwestern’s Nolan Koehler (160, with a 26-7 record) and Luke Fugazzotto (189, with a 25-2 mark), and Tamaqua’s Rylan Reitz (114, with a 32-6 record).

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District 11 Wrestling Championships — What to Know ... The road to Hershey begins this weekend as the District 11 wrestling championships get underway Friday and Saturday.

The Class 3A tournament will be held at Liberty High School, while Class 2A competition takes place at Freedom High School. Wrestling begins Friday at 4 p.m. and resumes Saturday at 9 a.m., with champions crowned Saturday evening at Liberty.

Friday Schedule (Feb. 20)

• Skin checks/weigh-ins: 2:45 p.m.

• Coaches meeting: 3:30 p.m.

Session I (4 p.m.)

• Pigtails

• Preliminary round

• Quarterfinals (no earlier than 6:30 p.m.)

• First consolation round (8–9 p.m.)

Saturday Schedule (Feb. 21)

• Skin checks: 7:45 a.m.

• Weigh-ins: 8 a.m.

• Coaches meeting: 8:45 a.m.

Session II

• Second consolation round (9–10 a.m.)

• Semifinals/third consolation round (no earlier than 10:15 a.m.)

• Fourth consolation round (11:45 a.m.–1 p.m.)

Session III (Liberty HS)

• Consolation finals (3rd & 5th): 3–4:30 p.m.

• Parade of Champions: 5 p.m.

• Finals: 5:15 p.m.

Advancing to Regionals

• Class 3A: Top 6 medal; top 5 advance

• Class 2A: Top 5 medal; top 4 advance

What Comes Next

• Regionals: Feb. 27-28

• PIAA Championships: March 5-7 at Giant Center, Hershey